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Content Warning: This episode contains explicit discussions about sex, childhood sexual abuse, BDSM, and death. Listener discretion is advised.

Today we are talking about the FX mini-series Dying for Sex, based on the true story of Molly Kochan. After a terminal breast cancer diagnosis, Molly realizes she has never had an orgasm with a partner. She leaves her marriage and goes on a wild journey of sexual self-discovery before she dies. But this story is about so much more than sex—it is a profound look at childhood sexual abuse, dissociation, and what it takes to actually stay in your body and experience true intimacy.

Host Heleen Woest is joined by Certified Sex Therapist Melinda Arnold to unpack the clinical and psychological themes of the show. We explore why dissociation is such a massive barrier to connection, how gender roles keep us from honesty, and the surprising ways that BDSM and consensual power exchange can help survivors reclaim their bodies and their absolute right to say "no."

We also dive into the existential aspects of dying, the beauty of platonic love, and the crucial role of somatic work in healing. For those who don't have the stomach to watch the explicit series, we made this episode so you can learn from it without actually having to watch it.

Show Notes Links:• Melinda Arnold's Bio & Contact: https://www.waypointpdx.com/melindaarnold

• Visit Heleen's Blog to learn more about this topic and the research behind it: https://www.lifesolutions.io/blog/
  
  
• Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@heleenwoest/videos
  
  
• Explore upcoming topics that are dropping soon on The Missing Piece: https://www.lifesolutions.io/podcast/